Democracy Flashcards
Define Democracy in 3 points
- Political Power exercised
- Can be direct or indirect
- Liberal democracy
Examples of direct and indirect democracy
- Direct would be Athens
- Indirect would be a Republic
How is democracy exercised?
Through
- Participation
- Competition
- Liberty
What’re the priorities of a liberal democracy?
- More concerned with individual rights & freedom
- Less so with equality
Why does liberal democracy emerge in England?
- Early limits on governmental authority
- Incremental
- Absence of a large standing army
How does England’s location affect it geopolitically?
- On an island
- Reliance on a strong navy
- Ergo weak state
- Islands tend to have a democratic government
- Large army requires higher taxes and enforcement of tax collection
What traits do the 2 different types encourage?
- Two party, more candidate centered?
- Multi-party, party centered
What’re 3 electoral systems?
- Single member, plurality
- Multi-member, proportional representation
- Mixed systems
List 3 democracy devices?
- Referendum
- Initiative
- Plebiscite
Advantages of a Prime ministerial system?
- More effective
- Less divided government
- Flexible
Disadvantages of a prime ministerial system?
- Dangerous concentration of power
- Disproportionate influence of minority party in coalition
Advantages of a presidential system?
- Popular basis of leader
- More stability w/ fixed terms
- Fusion of head of state/ government gives it more legitimacy
Disadvantages or a presidential system?
- Too much power
- Divided government
Bicameralism supports what?
Federalism (regional representation)
Advantage of bicameralism?
A more deliberate policy process
